Manchester United join Arsenal and Barcelona in the race for Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka

  • Jose Mourinho is seeking a replacement for veteran midfielder Michael Carrick
  • Manchester United targeted Schalke's Leon Goretzka as a potential replacement
  • The 22-year-old has been the subject of interest from Arsenal and Barcelona
  • Goretzka is out of contract in the summer and has been offered a new deal
  • Mourinho has refused to rule out a move for Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil 

Manchester United have joined the clubs showing interest in Schalke's talented midfielder Leon Goretzka.

The 22-year-old Germany international is out of contract in the summer and has been offered lucrative new terms to stay at the Bundesliga side.

However, Schalke face a tough task to convince him to remain in Germany with Europe's elite clubs clamouring to tempt him away.

Manchester United are hoping to beat their European rivals to Leon Goretzka (right)

Manchester United are hoping to beat their European rivals to Leon Goretzka (right)

Jose Mourinho has targeted the 22-year-old as a potential replacement for Michael Carrick
Carrick is nearing the end of his career and Mourinho is hoping to find a suitable replacement

Jose Mourinho has targeted the 22-year-old as a potential replacement for Michael Carrick

GORETZKA'S CV 

Clubs: Bochum (2010-2013); Schalke (2013 - Present)

Honours: Confederations Cup winner and Top Scorer (2017)

Schalke Stats (This Season)

Apps: 129 (11) 

Games: 19 (4)

Goals:  13 (1)

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Arsenal, Juventus and Barcelona are already understood to have opened discussions with his representatives while Bayern Munich have also posted an interest.


United manager Jose Mourinho wants to bolster his midfield with Michael Carrick coming to the end of his career and the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata struggling to convince him they can provide the creative spark he craves.

Goretzka fits the profile Mourinho likes as an athletic 6ft 2ins tall midfielder. He can play as a deep lying playmaker or as a box to box midfielder and has scored six goals in 12 internationals for Germany.

Mourinho has also refused to rule out a move for Goretzka's compatriot Mesut Ozil of Arsenal, who is also out of contract in the summer. 

Goretzka is out of contract in the summer with Barcelona and Arsenal also readying offers

Goretzka is out of contract in the summer with Barcelona and Arsenal also readying offers

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